Elastic fastening systems

ABSTRACT

The novel combination of a hook-and-loop based fastening system with an elastic base that retains the advantages of both a secure re-appliable fastening system and the properties of elasticity.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION-FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to re-appliable fasteners, specifically to a novel elastic fastening system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION-PRIOR ART

Many products are constructed with straps of elastic material with patches of hook-and-loop fastener attached to the ends. Sports equipment, medical devices, and military tactical gear are three of many examples where elastic materials have been combined with hook-and-loop fasteners.

To date, hook-and-loop fasteners have been created with a non-elastic base. These fasteners were then attached to straps of elastic material of either rubber or cloth. Where the fasteners were applied the base elastic material lost the advantage of its elasticity.

This becomes a limiting factor in product sizing and design. The larger the proportion of fastener to the length of the item, the less its elasticity. The smaller the proportion of the fastener, the less secure the bond, the larger the other portion of fastener has to be, or the less useful the range in the elastic becomes. These factors combine to limit the usefulness of the hook-and-loop fastener, the elastic material, or both.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,273,130 clearly illustrates these limitations. With any given lengths of the elastic strap, the hook portion of the fastener, and loop portion of the fastener, the useful range of the device is limited.

Another example would be a shin guard used in soccer and other sports, with one portion of a hook-and-loop fastener applied to the front of the shin guard, and the other portion of the hook-and-loop fastener attached to an elastic strap that is attached to one side of the shin guard, wraps around the calf, and attaches in the front. Tension is required on the elastic to keep the guard in place. If the calf is slightly smaller than expected, the furthest ends of the fasteners are used resulting in insecure fastening. Or if the fasteners are adequately attached, the strap is too loose to provide the tension needed to keep the guard in place. Users of products like this have even tied knots into the elastic band, in an attempt to shorten the band. This results in a more secure fastening, but lessens the desired elasticity of the strap, and is uncomfortable to the user. On the other hand, if the calf is larger than expected, the nearest ends of the fasteners are used resulting in an insecure fastening or the strap is over tightened placing too much pressure on the calf for comfortable use.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,545,193, illustrates an attempt to design around these limitations. The crisscrossing of strips of hook-and-loop fastener increases the range where the fastening system can engage. But again there is only a limited range where the fasteners will apply. The larger this range is made by increasing the lengths and widths of the fasteners, the less usable the elastic becomes.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,926,848, also shows an attempt to design around these limitations. In this example a loop of a portion of of hook-and-loop fastener is placed around a strip of elastic cloth. The second portion of the hook loop fastener is attached to one end of the elastic cloth. This invention is usable on a wide range of sizes but doesn't take full advantage of the elastic and is cumbersome to use.

As an alternative to using a hook-and-loop fastener, mushroom shaped fasteners and combined hook-and-loop fasteners have been developed. Neither of these have been manufactured with or applied to an elastic base.

Another alternative to the hook-and-loop fasteners has been the manufacture of a cohesive elastic strip, such as COBAN (RTM). Although these provide elasticity and adhesion throughout the length of the material, the quality of the adhesive lacks consistency. When a roll is carried in an aid-bag often it fuses into an unusable blob. On the other hand when wrapped around a limb, often it lacks adhesion.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION-OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

Accordingly, several objects and advantages of the invention are:

1. to provide a material that is elastic and securable throughout its entire length; 2. to provide a material with a simple, reusable and reliable closure. 3. to provide a material of a wide varsity of sizes and shapes for manifold uses; 4. to provide a material that is quickly applied, secured and re-secured.

Further objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and drawings.

SUMMARY In accordance with the invention, a fastener comprises a flat body of a thoroughly elastic base sewn into which is either, the hook portion, the loop portion, or a combination hook and loop, of a hook-and-loop fastener.

DRAWINGS—Figures

FIG. 1 shows an example of a combination hook-and-loop fastener woven into an elastic cloth base.

DRAWINGS—Reference Numerals

11 hook 12 loop 13 elastic thread 14 non-elastic thread

DETAILED DESCRIPTION—FIG. 7-PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The following represents my preferred embodiment at this time. A plurality of multi-directional hooks (11) and a plurality of multi directional loops (12) are interwoven into a base material of elastic threads (13) and non-elastic threads (14). The hooks (11) and the loops (12) are firmly held in place by the weave of the elastic threads (13) and the non-elastic threads (14), and protrude through one side of the woven cloth to form a fastening surface.

Operation:

The desired tension is applied to the material. Then the hook portion and the loop portion, or the combination hook-and-loop, are affixed to one another resulting in a secure fastening that retains the desired tension. This secure fastening can easily be re-adjusted as needed.

Advantages:

From the description above, a number of advantages of my elastic fastening systems become evident:

1. they are useful in many different applications, in many different industries.

2. they provide a strap and closure system that is usable over a wide range of sizes.

3. they provide the advantages of elasticity and a reliable re-appliable fastener.

CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE:

Thus the reader will see that the elastic fastening systems of the invention provide simple, inexpensive, components that can be used in a wide range of products in many industries.

While my above description contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as an exemplification of one preferred embodiment thereof.

Alternative embodiments include;

-   -   the hook portion protruding from one side of the woven fabric,     -   the loop portion protruding from one side of the woven fabric,     -   the hook portion protruding from both sides of the woven fabric,     -   the loop portion protruding from both sides of the woven fabric,     -   the hook portion and the loop portion protruding from opposite         sides of the woven fabric,     -   and a combination hook and loop protruding from both sides of         the woven fabric.

Variation in the sizing, spacing, and manufacture of the individual elements, and final products are anticipated. For example mold formed hook elements and needle punch formed loop elements could be woven into a large cloth that is elastic in both dirrections.

Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiment illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents. 

1. A hook portion of a hook-and-loop fastening system woven into an elastic base.
 2. A loop portion of a hook-and-loop fastening system woven into an elastic base.
 3. A combination hook-and-loop fastening system woven into an elastic base. 